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Topic Review (Newest First)

09-07-2009 07:21 AM

southwindphoto

thanks for all the great advise

12-30-2008 11:05 PM

mirhon

It's certainly nice to have these dreams. Above everyone has left you with alot of good information about boating and many of the costs. I lived on my 30 foot sailboat for over 2 years, she was my second boat. The one and only thing I haven't read from the above is, what about some Coast Guard courses in safety and navigation. You plan on using your boat to cruise on and not just to live on, what about learning boat repair. Remember you have only been sailing, what did you say once, you're going to need some real learning here before you embark on such a journey. I know some about sailing but I once got caught in a hurricane with winds of over 80 knotts of the California coast, if I didn't know what to do I would have lost my boat and probably drowned as well. So my suggestion is for you and your wife to take these courses together so you both have an understanding. Good luck and live your dreams.

01-01-2006 04:05 PM

kokopelli9

Living aboard? Where to start?

Wonderful advice...glad you offered it. I have been gradually learning to think in terms of "what I will do vs. what I would like to do"...it is easy to dream big...but sometimes dreams need to happen in small steps.

Your post made me feel as if I am on the right course...thanks.

Bobbi
SV Kokopelli

01-01-2006 02:32 PM

PBzeer

Living aboard? Where to start?

After about 3 yrs now of reading the various posts on here, and most of the books recommended, the main piece of advice I have to offer is to be realistic about what you are going to actually do. NOT, what you''d like to do, or want to do, but what you actually WILL do.

Unless you plan to live at a dock and keep your land based life, then to me, it does become something of a philisophical question, because living aboard while cruising is a major change in lifestyle. In one sense, it is much like the difference between working for someone, or working for yourself. When you work for yourself, the degree of risk and responsibility are much greater, as well as the dedication needed to make it work, but the rewards can be much greater as well.

That isn''t to say that one is better than the other. It''s only to point out that you need to really understand what it is you truely want and expect from living aboard. Once you''re sure of that, then you can have a better idea of what you need to make it happen.

When I cast off the docklines this spring, it will be as a coastal cruiser, not because I wouldn''t like to sail around the world, but because I know that is what I will do. And while I drool over the Outbound 44, I''m setting off in a Pearson 28-2, because that''s all the boat I''ll need. And determining what you need, to me, is where you start.

Fair winds and best of luck,
John

01-01-2006 05:50 AM

CaptainForce

Living aboard? Where to start?

My wife, Nancie, and I moved aboard in 1972 shortly after graduating from college. We practiced living in a small space first by renting a small trailer and not using all of that limited space. Of course, as many people in their early 20''s, we could easily pack all our belongings in our car. We cruised south from Maryland in the spring of ''72 aboard our 1969 Whitney 30 to Florida. Now, serveral boats later and with our two raised aboard children grown and living ashore; we are retired and cruising with the seasons from New England to the Carribean. I may be less able than many to suggest where to start a living aboard adventure since we have never lived in a house as adults, but living aboard does not require limitations in comfort, expenses, or any qualities of living. Don''t hesitate to enjoy the adventure. Stewart Force www.aythya1@yahoo.com

12-24-2005 05:33 PM

sailortonyb1

Living aboard? Where to start?

Lets not get too philosophical. When we dicided to move aboard about 5 years ago, we just put everything in storage, gave up the apt and "WENT ON THE BOAT". No special preparation that wouldnt ordinarily have been done for moving into another apt. Its just another place to live, but a lot smaller. If it doesnt fit on the boat, it doesnt come aboard. We did not add any shelves or make any changes that would make the living area look or feel smaller. We neither grew nor shrank, so the bunks still fit us. We neither gained or lost weight so our eating habits didnt change much. We didnt quit our jobs so our income remained the same although our ''outgo'' was much less.
We didnt change religions. What else didnt we do? Oh yes, we didnt have any great philosophy about the change, we just did it as a matter of whatever. If you have to think about it, have doubts, or need some really profound reason for doing it, then it aint for you. Its not for everyone. Do we still go day sailing....YES. Do we still go on short 2 or 3 day trips...YES. Have our lives been substantially changed by it....NOOOOOOOOOO.
So, what else would you like to know? Oh yea, forgot one thing...our first living aboard experience was on a Catalina 25 for about 2 years then we went to a Catalina 30. Feels like the Waldorf in comparison.

12-22-2005 04:54 PM

Saltycat

Living aboard? Where to start?

Winters in the Poconos may have had something to do with my endless, but not actualized, desire to become a live-aboard. Some books that I''ve ordered from Amazon, total cost under $60, may be helpful to others in the same boat. No pun intended. Reviews will follow readings. ALL IN THE SAME BOAT: LIVING ABOARD AND CRUISING - Tom Neale; THE ESSENTIALS OF LIVING ABOARD A BOAT - Mark Nicholas; ESCAPE FROM THE SAME DAY ISLE - Linda Ridihalgh; and LIVING ABOARD - Gordon Groene. I hope you find this info useful. I may never escape from the mountains, but I''ll be happier knowing so many others that have.

Steve

09-26-2005 09:36 PM

SweetMary

Living aboard? Where to start?

I meant to reply to polar palm tree, the Sagitta 30 live-aboard. I could not scroll down when composing my reply, after "joining up" with SailNet. Sorry! Sagitta 30 owner in Anchorage.

09-26-2005 09:31 PM

SweetMary

Living aboard? Where to start?

I am replying to -- I believe is was palm palm, living aboard the Sagitta 30 in 2003. Are you still aboard? I have had a Sagitta 30 for the past 8 years, purchased in Ventura, California in 1997, but I have been rebuilding it in Bellingham,WA. Next year we will sail it north to its new berth in Seward, Alaska. We live in Anchorage. I only sailed it a couple of hours before we bought it and trucked it north. Would love to hear your advice on sailing it.

07-07-2003 01:00 PM

TrishLambert

Living aboard? Where to start?

There is a lot to cover in your questions! I''ve been on the cruising circuit for about two decades now, have been a first mate three times with three different boats and three different skippers. Cruising can be a unique experience for each person/couple, in that there are so many variables to take into account. I now cruise aboard a Baba 30 with my skipper/husband and parrot, having been on a Contessa 35, Hans Christian 36, and Amphitrite 43. I''ve cruised extensively on both the east and west coasts of North/Central America, and, to tell you the truth, there''s more to talk about than I can fit into this reply! I invite you to visit the web site that I have launched with folks like you in mind! Go to www.takehersailing.com, and feel free to contact me directly with any questions!

Trish
www.takehersailing.com

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